Conjunctival and corneal colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mechanically ventilated patients. A prospective study.
In patients on mechanical ventilation the eyes may be colonized with P. aeruginosa. This study was designed to establish an association between endotracheal suctioning and this colonization. During the study period from January to August 1996, ten out of twenty-eight (36%) patients who were mechanically ventilated for than 3 days developed colonization of the respiratory tract with P. aeruginosa. In seven out of these ten patients (70%) conjunctival colonization with P. aeruginosa could be established. Subsequently three patients (11%) developed a clinical eye infection. In all patients the eye on the side corresponding to the position of the ventilator, the suction device and the location of the nurse during suctioning procedures, was colonized first. Contamination of the conjunctiva probably occurs by aerosol exposure during disconnection of the intubation tube from the ventilator for tracheal suctioning. Patients on mechanical ventilation may have an increased risk for eye infections.